What flowers can be direct sown in zone 4?

I know poppies can before last frost.Can hollyhocks,sweet williams,or any others be directly sewn now?I am in Wi.%26amp; fragile plants are usually safe by Memorial day from frost warnings.Are there hardy seeds of other flowers,perrenials,biannuals,annuals? My tulips started opening this week,daffodils are ready,dandelion greens are growing but we are going down to 32 tonight %26amp; will again.

What flowers can be direct sown in zone 4?
I gardened in zone 4 for almost 20 years but I was right in the city which made it just a touch milder, I guess, at least for the plants. In my experience you could plant most perennial and biennial seeds within the next week or two.Those take a while to germinate anyway so by the time they sprout you'll be much closer to the last frost. After they've sprouted you might need to protect them if it sounds like it's going to get down into the 20's but if it's just hovering around 30 they'll probably still be OK. When you think about it most of the plants that are hardy here drop seeds which survive even the worst of the winters our region can dish out, which is pretty nasty! My only concern is that where I am it's been a pretty wet "spring" and a bit chilly as well. You want to be sure that seeds, especially annuals, don't have to huddle in the cold dark mud for TOO long. I used to plant most of my annual seeds between the 15th and the end of May, depending on the kind of spring we were having. Even the years I had to wait though, they did fine, grew fast and bloomed profusely. Of course I didn't do anything very picky from seed either, just the tough old stand-bys. Morning glories can go out with the perennials, by the way, and really, so can alyssum, though that will take off no matter when you plant it so there's no real advantage to getting it in early.The annuals I had great luck with from seed include: Cosmos, Zinnia, Marigold, Nasturtium, Candytuft, Alyssum, Morning Glory, Nigella, Sunflower, and Bachelor's Buttons. Perennials include: Lupine, Coneflower, Aster, Daisy, Phlox, Joe-Pye Weed, Heliopsis, Flax, and Mallow. They mostly won't bloom the first year though Lupine often does and the others can surprise you too.





Have fun with your garden, be a little patient (I know, I know, it's hard after this particular WI winter!) and good luck!
Reply:I too am a zone 4 Montana and we just got done with that icky stuff that you are probably getting now my daffodils bloomed in the snow and the freezing rain did not look very good but it warmed up today and they actually looked pretty good. If you are planting from seeds you might want to wait most seeds have different tempatures that they start growing from like pumpkins the ground needs to be 70 degrees for a few days before the seed actually starts growing. But as far as the plants I have hollyhocks and sweet Williams up in the flower bed already from last years plants I also have at least a dozen other plants that are up and growing also the actual plant has a better time surviving these spring temperatures than a seed does.
Reply:Most perennials will be OK like black eyed Susan's, Shasta daisy and others like the blaket flower.


Lupins are ok too.


It is best to wait till after the last frost to plant seedlings.


Remember just because it seems warm does not mean snow is not right around the corner.
Reply:Check the back of the seed pack for sowing times for WI.


I am in Minnesota and will wait a little to direct sow. Especially since it snowed most of today.


Doesn't Mother Nature know it is Spring?
Reply:You can plant anything you want after your last frost date.